Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?
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Yes, it's sick. I would tell her you really love her and would miss her terribly. Ask her to make the gun difficult to access by giving it to someone or putting it in a bank deposit box or something. Is there a partner involved? There are Christian counselors she could talk to about her feelings. She's being very unfair to you because she's threatening suicide and tying your hands at the same time. Anger + drinking + pills + gun is a recipe for disaster. If you can get the gun out of the situation, the danger would go way down. She can still kill herself with pills and drinking, but there's a lot more time to decide it's a bad idea and get help. I think she needs a week or two in a hospital, but she would have to be willing to go - and probably wouldn't be.
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I agree with Wren. It is sick and unfair to you. If the gun could be removed from the situation, that would lessen the chances of something happening. Sounds like counseling is needed for all concerned.Next time she does it: perhaps tell her how scared you are of losing her and ask her to give the gun to someone else. Maybe you,, so you can get rid of it.
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Brigadoon, Perhaps this site can help with some ideas. http://psychcentral.com/resources/Depression/Support_Groups/ If this isn't right then Google "Depression support group for families" and see if that helps.
What a difficult situation you are in.
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Brigadoon, I had a situation very close to this with my brother years ago. My husband and my brother-in-law went to my brother's home and managed to get the gun and keep it until my brother's life had settled down.
I don't know if there's any way someone could do this with your sister, or even if it would be safe for them to do so. You have been put into such a tough situation. I hope things work out ok and this weight can be taken from you.
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http://www.care2.com/causes/4-reasons-god-might-be...
I find that www.care2.com has a wide variety of interesting stuff, including this amusing one (or not - where are their heads?) this morning. About the god pic in the clouds - might have been a possible delightful mind creation if she was on LSD. But somehow I think not.
Brigadoon - sorry to hear about your sis, hope something's going better
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That was amusing.
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The storm is over and all are headed toward a peace time.
Thanks for all the input. It has reinforced my own feeling that I cannot be part of her manipulative behavior. I will tell her that I love her and it would devastate me to lose her
My sister lives in the middle of the country and I live in New England so I can't physically do anything but I have decided that while she is in the positive phase I am going to tell her that she is not to tell me that she is in a destructive phase because she is putting a burden on me and leaving me helpless to do anything. I am going to tell her that if she does I will not be sworn to secrecy but will call someone who will help her. I am going to suggest that she get rid of the gun and seek some help.
She was given a car this week which will help her to get out more and be a part of the community again. She is also looking into a part-time job. I think that she will be more positive if she isn't only focusing on herself.
Again, thank you all. Your responses gave me some peace and perspective.
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stand your ground...and good luck
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I am not an "angry atheist" but I am getting fed up with that meme. I feel that it is one of those terms that has been touted by religious organizations to marginalize atheism. Our beliefs are a threat as more and more people use their intellect as a basis for life decisions and affiliations.
I have been frequenting the www.ffrf.org website and they have some well reasoned content. I do think it is a good time to be more visible about Atheism and the fact that it is growing and good people all over the world self-identify as such.
Thoughts?
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They correctly guessed all my bible knowledge came from Sunday school. I haven't felt compelled to read the Bible since I was a teenager.
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the facts are that more killing is done in the name of religion. Tragic.
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I must say that I have battled intolerance of religion. I don't want to be intolerant. However, I am quite prejudiced, as in quick to pre-judge religion, religious beliefs and participation in religion. There has been much reinforcement of my negative perspective. War, hate, misogyny, racism, greed, irrational political policy... However, I am heartened by the recent statements of the pope and various Christian churches as to climate change. I know that if our county is going to effectively face climate change, we need everyone on board. I am glad that will include a growing number of people of faith. I may just have to rethink some of my prejudice.
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It is rather difficult to come out as an atheist. Everyone you know still ascribes to some sort of faith, whether acquired or inherited. Admitting you are a non-believer is a personal rejection to them.
My cancer more firmly cemented my lack of faith.
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I usually just ignore the subject. I've studied Buddhism, which is a non-theistic religion and I put that on forms. I know what you mean about family though. Mine saw it as I wouldn't be in heaven with them. Of course I don't think they'll be there either because it just doesn't exist.
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I just say that I am a non theist.
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I have come to realize it depends largely on where you live. I seem to be surrounded by atheists, no problem "coming out". I think in Canada we're mostly free of bible belt mentality, well, there must be some pockets but I don't know where. At least, that's how it's been wherever I've lived in Ontario. I personally lump that kind of thinking into the same category of naive and weird as those who believe we have "death squads" in Canada because we have universal health care.
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We have a low rate of church attendance here because if it's nice people go hiking. To me, being in nature is way more important than anything in a building.
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Here is an article on research that supports what we have known all our lives; religion doesn't make people moral.
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religion does perform the function of social control..
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The ancient Greeks agree:
All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher.
- Lucretius, On the Nature of ThingsReligion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.
- Seneca
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Notself, I'm gonna borrow that, if you don't mind
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Me too, Blue.
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I don't think the Greeks will mind.
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LOL!
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When I was in high school, my World History teacher was famous for teaching in detail about ancient Greece. Other teachers said she taught a Greek a week. Epicurus is one of my favorite philosophers, of course he was an atheist.
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is
not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
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Yeah! I went out to the web searching for atheist support groups and then I figured there had to be some on here. I'm with several of you and feel much more connected to whatever is out there if anything is out there on a nature walk.
I do live in the BibleBelt and work in a very small rural town.
I told my therapist - Everyone wants to save my soul, but no one wants to mow my grass! ha ha.
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Several of us live in small rural towns in the BB. I keep a low profile about my disbelief because of an experience with one or two people. One woman regularly worked on my computer when it acts up. The last time she came to my house she clicked on one of the favorites to see if the computer was working correctly and ended up on an atheist site called Happy Atheist Forum. Even though I have called her several times, she will not return my calls. Sort of sad, really.
Welcome to this board.
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Small town, big city. Makes no difference I've found. Either they ignore you like you have cooties, or they will NOT leave you alone to see it their way.
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I read an article recently that described non-churched people as secular. I think that's a great term. It just indicates you don't go to church or synagogue. Doesn't say you're an atheist or agnostic, just drops it there.
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I haven't been by here in a while, but it is nice to read what many have posted. I haven't believed in 30 years. Not since the day my first child was born and in the midst of delivery I suddenly realized with absolute clarity that this life was all there is. Why did that happen? I couldn't begin to tell you.
Since then I have done some thinking and decided that I would only believe in what made sense, and religions simply do not make sense. Having been brought up as a Catholic, I feel guilty at times, but I know I am right. I agree with those who question why a loving God would allow evil things to happen to innocent people and can not blindly accept being told "because it is his will" or " we can not always understand the ways of God".
I don't generally talk about my not believing as so many people like to believe, whether or not they go to church. But I have less patience with people who tell me they are going to pray for me or that God will take care of me. Sometimes I respond by asking them, Then why did he let me get cancer to start with? They usually get flustered as they have no answer. I know it's somewhat rude, but I have gotten to the point that I think it's stupid to be told that some supernatural being will care for me. I equate it with saying Santa Clause will help me.
I think it is important that those of us who do not believe let others know that we do not because it gives others the permission to feel they can also "come out" as non believers, if not at that moment, at some other time. Someone I hardly knew told me he didn't believe in God, that he was an Atheist, and while I didn't say anything at the time, I felt braver about admitting it out loud about myself later on.
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